Ray Nitschke

The news of Ravens legendary middle linebacker Ray Lewis' upcoming retirement triggered plenty of strong reactions around the league. Respect, homage and sadness were all expressed upon learning that the defensive icon will walk away from the game...

The Ravens have been lucky, received divine intervention and may be one of the worst 9-2 teams in NFL history, but the one characteristic that stands out about this team is toughness. The Ravens have some downright ornery, nasty, intimidating, in-your-...

On a trip to Dallas from BWI last week, to my surprise, I was sitting next to Ray Lewis of the Ravens. He was on his way to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, and I'm sure it was a bittersweet trip for him. Mr. Lewis accommodated anyone and everyone who asked for an...

It's so rare for the Bears and Packers to be playing for more than bragging rights that a magnifying glass is needed to find games approaching Sunday's importance. Although even little games can seem big amid the lore and legend, the truth is these...

Three weeks after hip surgery, the old Baltimore Colts center is off the injured list. Buzz Nutter is back at work. He no longer blocks charging linebackers such as pro football Hall of Famers Sam Huff and Ray Nitschke. But Nutter does operate heavy...

They came to watch the cold war, to be fought at Memorial Stadium on an icy Sunday in late November 1958. On the field, Popsicle-hard at 2 o'clock, the high-flying Colts readied to play San Francisco, a team Baltimore had rarely beaten. At game time, the...

Changing directions as he did so well on the field, Walter Payton faked himself out Saturday by turning his Hall of Fame induction into the emotional, introspective event he had vowed to avoid. Instead of running away from his feelings, the NFL's all-...